Gabriel Knight 2-6: Exploring the Castle

I do not know why I stay away from this game for so long each time. I have an absolute blast every time I play. Well, to be fair, Life has been taking up plenty of my time lately (had to put a new roof on the house, am buying a car, that sort of thing). But the new washing machine has broken down for the third time in a week (yeah, I think they're gonna have to replace it). I was angry, so I sought distraction with Gabriel Knight.

Actually tonight my distraction was with Grace. I enjoy her chapters more anyway. Plus, I had left her just inside the entrance to Neuschwanstein, Ludwig II's famous fairy-tale castle. We get to take the audio tour and look at stuff in the real castle. I had done all the stuff in the village, had my lovely séance with Mr. and Mrs. Smith, got the keys to the car and at last am able to explore the country.

The real castle!

Nice view!

First we go to the Ludwig II museum, where, alert to all players: there are two exhibit rooms to explore, not just one. The hard to find one has the large red cloak and the diary entries. That's what you need. You can go to Neuschwanstein, however, without finding it (confession: I did). And I missed the Wagner museum when it first appeared on the map. It kind of blends into the background. No matter! I was able finally (with a quick peek at the WT) to finish the chapter.

Grace does lots of talking! Here she is by the lake where Ludwig drowned, with a Ludwig expert.

Learning about Ludwig

I don't understand why she doesn't bond with this guy the way she does with the guy at the Wagner museum, but I guess that's best for the plot.

Anyway, Grace has discovered that there was a "lost" Wagner opera. It's an adventure game. Whaddya think are the chances that she's going to find it?

I discovered something after finishing the chapter. I had kind of zoned out during the last moments of a consequential conversation between Grace and the Wagner museum guy. So I found a playthrough on YouTube and learned that I can access Grace's notes in the inventory. I had clicked on it before but must have missed the sweet spot, because I could never get it to open. But with that, I'm betting I won't need to see the WT too often. No doubt there are clues and hints in there! 

I watched the almost R-rated opening scene of Gabriel's next chapter, and managed to get the first puzzle done. Wonder if Gabriel has notes? Must look! 

So, still having fun! Now, back to Life. At least I'm gonna come out of this with a really nice car. (And maybe a new washer? 'Cause the one I have clearly is a lemon.)

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Gabriel Knight 2-5: Believe!

Just started Gracie's Chapter Four today. I had the presence of mind to check the post office and pick up my mail. Also I knew that Mr. & Mrs. Smith would be at the Gasthaus, so I went there and did all the dialogue with them, including the Tarot card readings.

Mr. & Mrs Smith show up at the end film of Chapter Two, and are just a hoot. They're churchgoin' Americans who mangle any word of German they try to speak, especially "Shattenjäger," and are there to help. Turns out that Mrs. Smith, with her 1950s beehive hairdo, is a demonologist with some serious insights into Grace and Gabriel's current situation.

Talking with the Smiths

A serious Tarot reading

The Smiths really add some nice humor to the game, and they're quite well played in an effective over-the-top manner, which is just the right choice, I think.

No doubt I've left something undone in Schloß Ritter, and I'm pretty sure I'll be getting to drive the car this time. I'm quite sure that Grace will be visiting Neuschwanstein, because the opening film featured a nightmare about Ludwig II that scares Grace.

Till next time (might not have any time for playing tomorrow, but I'll get back to the game ASAP after that).

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Gabriel Knight 2-4: Asking Questions, and Questions, and Questions

Back to Gabriel! I'm definitely finding Gabriel's chapters more difficult than Grace's, so far (although I've only done one chapter with Grace). First, I gotta say, golly the acting in this is good! Really makes the game more enjoyable.

But this chapter really has some tough, not so much puzzles, but just figuring out what to do next. The only solution is to be sure you visit everywhere and click on everything it's possible to click on. Even then, I'm betting there will be some confusion. I confess I went to the WT especially at the end. Trying to find out how to end a chapter can be extremely challenging.

But mostly Gabriel just goes around and talks to people, and asks questions and questions and questions. It's really setting up the storyline. I most enjoyed the conversations with Baron von Glower, of course, but also with Kommissar Leber at the police station. One of my favorite musical themes from GK1 plays there, and it's nicely nostalgic. 

Baron Von Glower at home

Kommissar Leber becomes helpful

Also, we get to explore the hunting club. Here, my decades-ago experience playing this game came in handy. I actually remembered what to do with an odd item I had acquired. The payoff is quite nice--we get to see an off-limits room at the club:

What's this in the club basement?

And, we can explore more of Munich. There's nothing in the Marienplatz for us to do, but it's nice to be able to do some sightseeing.

Statue of Mary in the Marienplatz

The Glockenspiel!

So after much chatter, we have learned a lot. I really don't remember, but the astute player is probably figuring out who the culprit is, and who it isn't. However, there is much more to the story!

I think Grace gets to go to Schloß Neuschwanstein in the next chapter! Looking forward to that!

Next Entry.

Gabriel Knight 2-3: Getting Grace into the Game

Well I most certainly didn't intend to stay away from the game for this long. Sheesh. OK, it was the holidays and then I got a roof leak and had to put on a new roof, but the truth is that I remembered how tough this game can be and was a teensy bit fearful of trying it again.

No worries, actually. I just got through Grace's whole first chapter (actually Chapter Two in the game) with nary a problem until the very end. And I really enjoyed it! I have spare time finally, so I ought to finish everything pretty quickly! 

I remember now why this game got me into adventuring. It is FUN! And the full-motion video really works. 

So, Grace has arrived at Schloß Ritter (sorry. I'm gonna use the real German letter--it stands for "ss."). The game alternates between Gabriel and Grace. Her chapter, at least this one, isn't nearly as tough as Gabriel's, so it was a good vehicle to get me back into the game. I mean, if you click on everything that produces an action icon, you're going to find what you need. A bit of thought is good, but it's not so terribly difficult to figure out where to go next, especially with the limited playing area.

Grace at Schloß Ritter

Grace and Gerde immediately go for each other's throats. Grace, of course, is jealous of Gerde and thinks she's cuddling up with Gabriel, when actually Gerde was in love with the now-dead Wolfgang. Grace hasn't figured that out yet, but she will. 

The major task here is for Grace to find a way to do her job: research. Once she finds a way to get into the Shattenjäger library things move along pretty quickly.

The Shattenjäger Library

In the library, Grace finds enough reading material, that with hints from the townsfolk she can start to get some background on werewolves. Also, she's getting hints that Bavaria's "mad king," Ludwig II, somehow is involved in the mystery.

Nice church and Fountain!

I did have to look at a WT just briefly to get myself out of a stuckness toward the end of the chapter. When you've done everything that seems to be available, you can either get a little nudge or you can waste time retracing your steps to find that little node you're missing. So getting that nudge was well worth it.

Finally Grace sends her research off to Gabriel's attorney, because she doesn't yet know where Gabriel himself is lurking. 

Putting it all together

There was plenty of very nice German in this chapter, so that enhanced the enjoyment for me. And yeah, I was able to understand most of it! Grace tries to speak it, and I find it hard to believe that Grace, of all people, wouldn't have bothered to find out how to do the basic pronunciation. Still, I appreciated the effort!

Next up: back to Gabriel. And I will not be letting the game gather any dust before I plunge in again! Tomorrow!

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